Are immersion programmes the solution to Malta's unofficial monolingualism?

Abstract

Malta has two official languages: Maltese, the indigenous language of the islanders that is a variety of Arabic and English, the language of one of Malta's last colonisers. Having been governed by foreign rulers for centuries, for the Maltese people, the indigenous language, together with religion, acted as the surrogate for national identity and the fight for self-determination. In Malta, as in other countries. that were former colonies of Britain, English is still considered to be a prestigious language and a status symbol that provides, among other things, elite membership. Generally, parents who send their children to non-state schools wish to identify with a particular, reference group that is usually composed of professionals who usually speak English among ...themselves.